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Government moves to strengthen the authority of chiefs through proposed amendments to the Chieftaincy Act.
The proposed reforms are expected to restore aspects of the authority of chiefs to summon subjects or residents who breach customary laws, engage in activities that threaten community peace, or undertake harmful practices within traditional areas.
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has been at the forefront of the proposed reforms, stressing the importance of strengthening Ghana’s traditional institutions and improving their collaboration with state authorities.
Government has already commenced processes to amend the Chieftaincy Act, with a committee constituted to undertake the amendment process during 2026. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to modernise the chieftaincy institution and make traditional authorities more effective partners in local governance and national development.
Government Seeks to Restore Chiefs’ Summoning Authority
One of the most significant issues under consideration is the restoration of the power of chiefs to summon people within their traditional jurisdictions.
The proposed reform is particularly important because chiefs have historically played a major role in maintaining order, settling disputes, mobilising communities and enforcing customary practices.
According to the Ministry, restoring the power of summons would enable chiefs to engage directly with individuals whose actions are affecting peace, development or the environment in their communities.
The government has previously indicated that the reform could help traditional leaders address issues such as illegal mining, land disputes, sanitation challenges and other activities that negatively affect communities.
The Ministry has explained that the proposed amendment is intended to strengthen traditional governance while ensuring that the powers granted to chiefs operate within Ghana’s constitutional and legal framework.
Why the Chieftaincy Act Is Being Reviewed
The Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) provides the legal framework governing important aspects of Ghana’s chieftaincy institution.
The Act recognises the role of traditional councils and provides mechanisms for dealing with chieftaincy-related disputes. It also recognises customary arbitration where parties consent to the process.
However, concerns have emerged over the extent to which chiefs can compel individuals to respond to their summons.
The debate became particularly important following legal challenges to provisions of the law concerning the authority of chiefs to summon individuals.
Government’s current position is that the law needs to be reviewed to respond to modern challenges while strengthening the role of traditional authorities.
The proposed reform is therefore not simply about restoring an old traditional practice. It is also about determining how traditional leadership can operate effectively alongside Ghana’s modern constitutional democracy and formal justice system.
The Supreme Court Issue
The debate over the power of chiefs to summon subjects has a significant legal history.
Section 63(d) of the Chieftaincy Act made it an offence for a person to deliberately refuse to honour a call from a chief to attend to an issue.
However, the provision was challenged and subsequently struck down by the Supreme Court on constitutional grounds.
The concern was that a broad power allowing chiefs to compel people to appear before them could interfere with constitutional rights, particularly freedom of movement. The Ghana Center for Democratic Development has also highlighted the constitutional concerns surrounding the former provision.
This history means that any new legislation will have to strike a careful balance between traditional authority and individual constitutional rights.
Government has acknowledged the need for safeguards and stakeholder consultation as part of the reform process.
Chiefs and the Fight Against Illegal Mining
One of the strongest arguments for strengthening the authority of chiefs is the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Chiefs are custodians of traditional lands and often have considerable influence over people living within their traditional areas.
Government has previously called on chiefs to play a stronger role in protecting Ghana’s forests, rivers and other natural resources.
The Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Ministry has argued that restoring appropriate powers to traditional leaders could give chiefs greater capacity to engage people involved in harmful activities.
The government has specifically linked the proposed reform to the fight against illegal mining and other environmental offences.
If properly implemented, chiefs could become stronger community-level partners in identifying harmful activities, engaging residents and encouraging compliance with environmental rules.
However, the success of such an approach would depend on close cooperation between traditional authorities, the police, district assemblies, environmental agencies and other state institutions.
Strengthening Peace and Community Discipline
Beyond galamsey, the government believes stronger traditional institutions can contribute to peace and social order.
Chiefs and queen mothers remain influential figures in many Ghanaian communities. They often mediate family disagreements, land disputes and other conflicts before such matters escalate.
The government has therefore been seeking greater collaboration between traditional authorities and state institutions.
In January 2026, Minister Ahmed Ibrahim called on traditional and religious leaders to work with government to find lasting solutions to conflicts in communities. He identified the review of the Chieftaincy Act, support for Traditional Councils and capacity building for Judicial Committees as part of measures to strengthen traditional governance and dispute resolution.
The government’s argument is that communities can benefit when formal government structures and traditional institutions work together rather than operating separately.
Traditional Authorities and Local Development
The proposed reforms are also connected to Ghana’s broader development agenda.
Traditional authorities can influence land access, community mobilisation, environmental protection, cultural preservation and local development.
Government has therefore emphasised the need for closer cooperation between chiefs and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives.
This partnership could become increasingly important as government pursues initiatives requiring land, community participation and local coordination.
For example, the Ministry has called on traditional leaders to work with local government authorities to support the implementation of the 24-Hour Model Market initiative, recognising chiefs as important stakeholders because of their role as custodians of land.
Government Also Strengthening Chieftaincy Institutions
The proposed amendment is part of a wider programme to strengthen Ghana’s chieftaincy institution.
Government has taken steps to increase resources available to the Regional Houses of Chiefs for the adjudication of chieftaincy cases.
According to the Ministry, the quarterly allocation for adjudication of chieftaincy cases was increased from GH¢30,000 to GH¢50,000, while monthly allowances for Paramount Chiefs and Queen Mothers were also increased.
The government has also highlighted capacity building for Judicial Committees and efforts to improve the administration of chieftaincy-related cases.
These measures are significant because traditional institutions cannot effectively contribute to peace and development if they lack the financial and institutional resources needed to perform their responsibilities.
Safeguards Will Be Important
While the proposed reform has attracted support from sections of the traditional leadership, the restoration of summoning powers must be carefully designed.
Chiefs occupy an important position in Ghanaian society, but their authority must operate within the Constitution and national laws.
The government's own position is that any restored powers must include appropriate safeguards to prevent abuse and ensure accountability.
This will be particularly important in situations involving personal disputes, political disagreements, land conflicts or accusations against individuals.
A summons from a chief should not become a substitute for the formal courts or law enforcement agencies where criminal prosecution is required.
Instead, the traditional institution could serve as an important first layer of community engagement, mediation, customary dispute resolution and peacebuilding, while serious criminal matters remain within the authority of the appropriate state institutions.
A Balance Between Tradition and Modern Governance
The proposed reform presents Ghana with an opportunity to strengthen one of its most important traditional institutions while respecting the principles of modern democracy.
The 1992 Constitution guarantees the institution of chieftaincy and recognises the importance of traditional councils and Houses of Chiefs.
The challenge, therefore, is not whether traditional institutions should exist, but how their authority should evolve to meet contemporary needs.
A properly designed Chieftaincy Act could provide chiefs with clearly defined responsibilities, appropriate powers and effective safeguards.
Such an approach could allow traditional leaders to contribute more meaningfully to community peace, environmental protection, sanitation, dispute resolution and local development without undermining the constitutional rights of citizens.
What the Proposed Reform Could Mean for Communities
If Parliament eventually approves amendments that restore carefully defined summoning powers, the impact could be felt at the community level.
Chiefs could have a stronger legal framework for calling residents to discuss issues affecting their communities. This could improve community mobilisation and encourage greater participation in communal activities.
It could also strengthen efforts to address environmental destruction, sanitation problems and other community challenges.
However, the effectiveness of the reform will depend on how the law is written and implemented.
Traditional leaders will need to exercise any new powers responsibly, transparently and fairly. Residents, meanwhile, will need to understand their responsibilities under customary and national law.
Conclusion
The Government’s move to revitalise the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) represents a significant attempt to redefine the role of traditional authorities in Ghana’s modern governance system.
At the centre of the reform is the proposed restoration of the ability of chiefs to summon subjects or residents in matters affecting community peace, customary law, development and the protection of natural resources.
Government has already commenced the amendment process and constituted a committee to work on the review during 2026.
The initiative could give chiefs a stronger role in tackling illegal mining, resolving local disputes, maintaining discipline and mobilising communities for development.
But the success of the reform will ultimately depend on maintaining a careful balance between traditional authority, constitutional rights and the rule of law.
If that balance is achieved, the revitalised Chieftaincy Act could strengthen the partnership between traditional institutions and government and give chiefs a more effective role in promoting peace, accountability and sustainable development across Ghana.